Game apparatus



(NoModel.)

' J. W. FREY.

GAMEFAPPARA'TUS. No. 498,781. VPatentedJune 6, 1893.

IUI IW, Il 0' which is covered over, the cover having im-` UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOI-IN w. FREY, or WEBB CITY, MISSOURI.

GAME APPARATUS.

SPECIFXCATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 498,781, dated June 6, 1893.

Application tiled February l, 1893. Serial No.460.542. (No model.)

zen of the United States, residing at vVebb City, in the county of Jasper and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and use-- ful Improvements in Game Apparatus; and I do declarcthe following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as willenable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention has for its object to provide a new and useful construction in game apparatus, and it consists of a suitable labyrinth pressed thereon a diagram of the labyrinth and a suitable spherical body being contained in the labyrinth, `which may by the various inclinations given tothe apparatus be caused to traverse the labyrinth, and my invention also consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the several parts of which 1t 1s composed, as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

Referring tothe accompanying drawings in which corresponding parts are designated by similar marks of reference, Figure 1 is aplan view of a game apparatus constructed according to this invention. Fig. 2 is a plan View with the cover removed. Fig. 3 is a vertical section on lines c a: of Fig. 2.

As-shown in the accompanying drawings the device consists of an im perforated bottom l, and a perforated top 2, between which is contained the body or block 3, although it is obvious that the bottom and block may be formed of a single piece of material, the said block having formed therein depressions which constitute the hereinafter described labyrinth, and that the block may be formed of any desired material, and have the top secured thereto in any desired manner. As shown in the annexed drawings, the block is rectangular in shape and has projecting from opposite sides thereof, toward its center, which is cutout, a series of tongues or fingers 4, the said tongues or fingers, by preference, projecting from alternate points on the opposite side of the block, thus forming a series of pockets 5, and as the tongues or lingers are of unequal length, a serpentine connecting passage 6 `between the several pockets, constituting a labyrinth, although I do not confine myself to the hereinbefore form thereof, as any desired shape of lingers or partitions separating the several pockets may be used; If preferred, any or all of the said ngers may have their ends curved or bent, as is shown at 7, Fig. 2. The cover 2, which as before 'stated tits over the block has printed, engraved or otherwise' impressed thereon an accurate diagram of the labyrinth hidden thereby, and hasa series of aperturesS therein over the several pockets 5, formed by the fingers 4, the said apertures having impressedon the top near them a series `of continuously-designating marks, although it is obvious that if preferred, the said apertures may be only placed over some of the pockets, instead of all, as hereinbefore described. A suitable spherical body or ball 9 is also provided of such a size as will permit its passage through any or all of the said apertures, and will permit its ready movement within the labyrinth. Such-being the construction ot' my device,

4the method 0f its use is as follows: The

player inserts the spherical body through the aperture, having the first in order of the designating marks near it, and endeavors by Various inclinations of the apparatus to cause the spherical body to appear below the' aperture which has the succeeding number near it. He then endeavors in a similar manner to `cause it to appear below the aperture next in order, until he has succeeded, by successive inclinations of the apparatus in causing the body to appear beneath the last of the said apertures, he having then solved the puzzle. If at any time the spherical body appears beneath the wrong aperture, he has made a miss, and must remove the spherical body and start again from the first aperture. When several are playing, the method of using the apparatus may be varied, and any player making a miss must pass the apparatus to the player next in order, and must start when the apparatus has again come round to him, either at the first aperture, or the aperture below which the spherical body was situated prior to his miss in the previous play, as may be decided. The player first making the last aperture is the winner.

IOO

It will be noted that the spherical body is except when under the aperture, hidden from sight, as is also the labyrinth in which it is contained, the diagram of the latter upon the top, being the only guide the player has to determine in what manner to incline the apparatus.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. In a game apparatus, the combination with a suitable body having a labyrinth formed therein, and having an apertured top With a diagram of the said labyrinth impressed thereon, of a spherical body adapted to be moved through the said labyrinth, substantially as described.

2. In a game apparatus, the combination with a suitable body having a labyrinth therein, of a cover therefor, having a series of apertures therein, the said cover havin g impressed thereon a diagram of the said .labyrinth, anda series of marks designating the order of the said apertures, and a spherical body adapted yto be moved through the said labyrinth, substantially as described.

3. In ,a game apparatus, the combination with a suitable body, having a labyrinth therein, and provided with a ser-ies of pockets .forming a part of said labyrinth, of a cover for the said body,.having.a series'ofaperturestherein, located over the several pockets, the said cover having impressed thereon a diagram ofthe said labyrintlnand a series of marks designating the order of the said aper-v` tures, and a spherical body adapted to be ymoved through the said labyrinth, substantially as described.

4. In a game apparatus, the combination with a suitable body, or block, having its interior'cut out, and having a series of fingers projecting from its opposite sides, forming pockets and a labyrinth, of which the said` pockets are .a part, an imperforated bottom for the said block, and acover therefor, having a series of apertures therein located over the several pockets, the said cover having impressed thereon, a diagram of the said labyrinth, and a series of marks designating the order of the said apertures, and a spherical body adapted to be moved through the said labyrinth, substantially as described.

5. In a game apparatus, the combination with a suitable block, and having a series of fingers of unequal length projecting from alternate points ofv its opposite sides, forming pockets and a serpentine passage connecting them, which said pockets and passage constitute a labyrinth, a bottom and a top for the said block, the said cover having a series of apertures therein, located over the said pockets, and havingimpressed thereon a diagram of the saidlabyrinth, and a series of marks designating the order of the `said apertures, and a spherical body adapted to be moved through the said labyrinth, substantially as described.

6. Ina game apparatus, the combination with a suitable block, having a series of lingers of unequal length projecting from itsopposite sides, forming pockets and a serpentine passage connecting them, which said pockets and passage constitute a labyrinth, a bottom and top for the said block, the said cover having a series of apertures therein, located over the said pockets, and having impressed thereon a diagram of the said labyrinth, and a series of marks designating vthe order of the said apertures, and a spherical body adapted to be moved through the said labyrinth, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses. f

, JOHN W. F'REY. Witnesses:

W. B. HAGAR, C. M. MANKER. 

